Exploring the Design and Implementation of a Globally Scaled 21st Century Medical Education: Launching the University of Global Health Equity

Abstract

A number of humanitarian efforts in recent decades have sought to alleviate the shortage of healthcare professionals in low resource settings across the globe. In 2015, under the auspices of Partners In Health (PIH), the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) opened in Kigali, Rwanda, offering a two-year part time Masters of Science in Global Health Delivery (MGHD) degree to working professionals. With an aim to be at the forefront of global healthcare delivery, the university graduated its first class in May 2017, and will be opening a medical school in Butaro, Rwanda in July 2019. The launch of this integrated Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery/Masters in Global Health Delivery (MBBS/MGHD) degree gives the university an opportunity to carefully evaluate every aspect of a 21st century medical education. I have been working with this team since July 2017, and while my originally intended role has morphed significantly over the last eighteen months, I have ultimately had the opportunity to help design a large part of the MBBS/MGHD program now slated to launch later this year. This report discusses a number of institutional priorities that I helped bring to life and the challenges and outcomes of such endeavors that we faced.